NABA Florida World Series - One of the Largest Adult Amateur Baseball Tournaments

Introduction to the NABA Florida World Series

The NABA Florida World Series is one of the largest adult amateur baseball tournaments in the United States. NABA stands for the National Adult Baseball Association, which runs baseball leagues and tournaments for adults aged 18 and over across the country. The NABA Florida World Series is the association's premier event held annually in Florida which attracts hundreds of teams and thousands of players.

Overview of the NABA Organization

The National Adult Baseball Association (NABA) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1987 to provide opportunities for adults to continue playing the game they love. NABA runs local adult baseball leagues across the United States and Canada. There are currently over 125 NABA affiliated local leagues with more than 15,000 members nationwide.

The mission of NABA is to promote the playing of organized baseball games for males and females 18 years of age and older. Beyond local leagues, NABA hosts large regional and national tournaments for its members to compete at higher levels. The organization provides structured leagues and tournaments while emphasizing fun, teamwork, skill development, and social interaction.

NABA National Tournaments

NABA runs several national tournaments throughout the year in locations across the US. These include:

• NABA Spring Training Tournament - March in Arizona
• NABA World Series - August in Phoenix, Arizona
• NABA Florida World Series - November in Florida
• NABA Winter National Tournament - February in Arizona

The marquee event is the NABA World Series which takes place every summer in Phoenix. The NABA Florida World Series is the largest tournament on the east coast and one of the biggest nationwide.

Overview of the NABA Florida World Series

The NABA Florida World Series is held annually in November in Central Florida. It is a weeklong tournament featuring some of the best amateur adult baseball teams in the eastern United States and Canada. Hundreds of teams across multiple divisions participate aiming to win a national championship.

The tournament has been running since 2001 and has continued to expand each year. In 2022, there were over 260 teams and more than 4,000 players that participated in the NABA Florida World Series.

Tournament Location

The NABA Florida World Series takes place at the Osceola County Softball Complex in Kissimmee, Florida, just south of Orlando. This massive softball facility converts to a baseball field complex to host the event. There are 16 total fields used for the tournament including:

• 7 lighted softball quadplex fields
• 6 lighted baseball fields
• 3 multi-use fields

The fields allow dozens of games to take place simultaneously throughout each day of the tournament week. The complex has covered bleachers, concession stands, and ample parking.

Tournament Participants

The NABA Florida World Series attracts top-level amateur baseball teams from across the eastern US and Canada. Participants range from 20 to 60+ years old who still have a passion for playing ball.

Teams qualify for the tournament through NABA regional tournaments or by invitation based on prior year performances. Divisions are split into different age groups such as 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 65s, and 70s. The tournament champions in each age bracket are crowned NABA Florida World Series national champions.

Game Format and Rules

The NABA Florida World Series features a pool play to bracket format. Teams are assigned to pools within their age division where they play 3-4 preliminary round games. Teams with the best records advance to the single elimination championship bracket to determine a champion.

Games follow standard NABA rules which are similar to Major League Baseball rules with some modifications. Differences include no leading off, no bunting, courtesy runners, and other small changes to adapt to recreational adult play.

Notable Moments and Events

With 20+ years of history, there have been many memorable moments and outstanding performances during the NABA Florida World Series. Here are some highlights over the years:

Perfect Games

There have been two perfect games tossed in the history of the tournament. In 2021, a pitcher in the Men's 30 AAA Division retiring all 21 opposing hitters without allowing a baserunner for a rare perfect game.

World Series Home Runs

The home run leaderboard has seen some impressive power displays over the years. The record for most home runs in a single Florida World Series is 9 blasts by Brad Moss in 2016.

National Champions

Hundreds of teams have hoisted championship trophies over the years at the NABA Florida World Series. Notable repeat champions include the South Florida Kings (50s Division), Virginia Warthogs (30s), and Tidewater Drillers (25s) who have captured multiple World Series titles in their respective age groups.

Hall of Fame Players

Some individual players have put together astounding careers at the NABA Florida World Series and have been inducted into the NABA Hall of Fame such as Chris Gargone, Sean McCann, and Reggie Scott who starred year after year in the tournament.

Youth Clinics

Current and former pro baseball players have run free youth clinics in conjunction with the tournament to give back to the community. Players like Edwin Jackson, Josh Fields, and others have provided instruction to kids during the World Series.

Economic Impact

The NABA Florida World Series has a significant economic impact on the Kissimmee region each year. With thousands of players and fans converging for the week, the tournament generates millions in visitor spending.

In 2022, Osceola County estimated the total impact from the NABA Florida World Series at $3.5 million. This spending benefits local hotels, restaurants, shops, attractions and other businesses throughout the region.

The county sports commission actively promotes the tournament for its tourism value and credited it with filling around 2,000 hotel room nights last year. The tournament continues to provide a boost to Central Florida’s sports tourism economy annually.

Future Outlook

The NABA Florida World Series has seen incredible growth since starting more than 20 years ago. From just a handful of teams initially to now attracting hundreds of teams and thousands of players, it has become a marquee national tournament.

NABA will continue organizing and promoting the event each year for the country's top amateur adult baseball clubs. The Florida World Series is expected to remain one of the premiere tournaments and largest gatherings of adult baseball teams in the United States.

With the passion for baseball still going strong across many generations, the NABA Florida World Series figures to see even more spectacular plays, memorable moments, and continued success for years to come.

FAQs

How can I register my team for the NABA Florida World Series?

Teams qualify for the NABA Florida World Series by playing in NABA regional tournaments or through an invitation based on prior year tournament results. Check the NABA website for details on signing up for one of the regional qualifier events.

What is the cost for teams to play in the tournament?

Entry fees for the NABA Florida World Series are typically around $675 per team. There are also individual player fees required to register with NABA which covers insurance. Hotel, transportation, and other costs are separate.

Where do teams stay during the tournament week?

There are many hotels and accommodations in the Kissimmee region near the tournament complex. Some teams stay at nearby resorts while others book budget hotels depending on preference. Rental houses are also popular for groups.

What type of awards or prizes are given out at the tournament?

Championship teams in each age bracket receive trophies, individual awards, championship rings and customized team banners. There are also Most Valuable Player, Gold Glove, and other individual awards presented.

Are there vendors and concessions on site during the tournament?

Yes, the complex has multiple concession stands selling food and drinks throughout the week. Various vendors also set up on site selling baseball merchandise, apparel, and equipment during the tournament.